Comments on: Anti-Semitism going mainstream

By: Meryl Yourish

Meryl Yourish — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:16:11 +0000

Jon, that’s bullshit.

We should accept insults because we have a good sense of humor?

We should ignore them because they’re not directed at us, they’re directed at the general public?

You’re joking, right?

The reason the ad agency can get away with that ad, and not one against Maoris, is because anti-Semitism is still the only acceptable bigotry. It gets proven time and again. ]

I repeat: Substitute “blacks” or “Muslims” for Jews, and Time would never have published the ad, and the billboards would never have gone up.

And you know that’s true.

By: Jon Ihle

Jon Ihle — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:10:54 +0000

It’s not aimed at Jews. It’s aimed at TV viewers. And the reason you can get away with that kind of ad and not one, say, reference black people is not because anti-Semitism is the last acceptable prejudice, but because Jews are ironists par excellence – something we should celebrate.

By: Bruce Hill

Bruce Hill — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:03:48 +0000

I’ve just returned from a visit to Wellington, and I saw the billboards.

I’m afraod Meryl’s point is correct.

Sure, it’s a joke.

Sure, it’s poking fun at attitudes which are supposedly archaic.

Sure, it’s meant ironically.

But the point is it’s aimed at Jews, and that’s the ONLY “archaic” attitude it’s permissible to express, even in “jest”.

Anyone want to imagine what would happen in an ad agency of some guy pitched similar billboards aimed at “happy-go-lucky coloured folk”, or “dumb man-chasing broads”.

Never. Gonna. Happen.

But Jews?

Hey, can’t a guy even make a joke anymore?

Well, apparently not.

With one exception.

And we all know what that exception is.

Meryl’s right on this one.

By: Jon Ihle

Jon Ihle — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:42:58 +0000

Well, you and I – both Jews – have had opposite reactions, so I’m not sure the matter is as clear-cut as you make it. Do you also get annoyed when Jon Stewart cracks wise about Manishevitz? If anything, the ad writers were guilty of underestimating just how mainstream anti-Semitism has become (again), but I don’t think that makes the ad itself anti-Semitic. I certainly understand what you’re saying about poor taste; I’m still a little confused about why you’re offended – unless you don’t believe the ads were part of a satire.

I’m not trying to be a jerk about this, BTW.

By: Meryl Yourish

Meryl Yourish — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:30:59 +0000

Oh, come on, Jon. If I were driving past a billboard that said “All business considered, even from Jews,” I don’t think I’d stop to wonder if it was advertising a satiric TV show. I would be offended at the language. And the insult.

Sorry, but the ad was in very poor taste.

By: Jon Ihle

Jon Ihle — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:24:36 +0000

Huh. I’m still a little perplexed. Your reaction seems to rule out dramatic irony at the expense of bigots. You do know the show is a satire, I’m sure.

Who, exactly, is expressing anti-Semitism here apart from fictional characters at whom we are meant to laugh? The billboard makes that fairly explicit by adopting outmoded slogans and presenting them as if they were current. Highlighting the difference between then and now – and putting the viewer in the privileged position of knowing the difference – is precisely what should make the show funny.

Are you actually saying that pointing out anti-Semitism is itself anti-Semitic if it repeats an anti-Semitic slogan (as distinct from anti-Semitism itself)? Cause that’s what it seems like you’re saying.

As for my sexism analogy: I thought it was pretty clear from my example that such a billboard would be making fun of sexism – you know, by appropriating its language in a mode of ironic self-reference. I guess I’ll have to take a different, more hostile view of your Hulk posts from now on.

By: Meryl Yourish

Meryl Yourish — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:41:19 +0000

Jon, yeah, I got that part of it.

What you’re not getting is that using forty-year-old anti-Semitic slogans is still anti-Semitic.

And yes, I’d be screaming about sexism in the above instance as well.

By: Jon Ihle

Jon Ihle — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:54:26 +0000

Meryl,
I think you’re misreading this. The point of the ad is to draw attention to the casual bigotry of the show’s characters, who (as you say) are from a time when anti-Semitism was commonplace. The joke here is on the establishment, not Jews. Imagine instead that the ad read: “Ad agency seeks secretaries. Single girls preferred. Must have typing, shorthand, nice gams.” Would reasonable people be screaming about sexism?

By: Herschel

Herschel — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:51:54 +0000

We need consequences for stupid statements and actions, not merely apologies.
A few months ago Imus made a stupid comment about “nappy headed ho’s”
and all hell broke loose, and he lost his job. In normal times, an apology would be acceptable, now with the climate of anti-semitism growing, examples of stupid behavior need to be publicized and people strongly repremanded.

And if someone cries free speech, ask him if he is willing to draw a cartoon of the Muslim prophet Mohammed and put it on a billboard?

By: Sigmund, Carl and Alfred

Sigmund, Carl and Alfred — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:47:23 +0000

Beyond upsetting.

Gives new meaning to the phrase ‘Banality of evil.’

Apologies my ass- heads need to roll.

Never mind Muslims- Substitute the world Maori, Aboriginal or black.